Sporting Gijón | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/sportinggijon
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Javier Clemente's latest Sporting stunt could be his last as patience wears thin | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/apr/02/javier-clemente-stunt-final-straw
If Sporting Gijón were winning, their inflammatory coach might get away with his rants and behaviour. But they're not<p>Javier Clemente is nails. <del>Real Valladolid</del> Sporting Gij&oacute;n's new coach, known as the 'Blonde of Barrakaldo', is the foul-mouthed, feisty chain-smoking football manager who knows no fear, laughs in the face of danger, and thinks nothing of checking himself out of hospital against doctors' advice and driving from Bilbao to Belgrade with four broken ribs, a fractured collarbone and a punctured lung. The man who could start a fight in an empty house but would prefer a full one, begins every phrase with a brilliantly Basque <em>joder</em>, and says &quot;I'm not hard, I'm hard-<em>&iacute;simo</em>&quot;; the former Spain boss who told his players the way to win the 1994 World Cup was to &quot;sharpen your studs and get booting&quot;, the footballing Red Adair brought in to put out fires who has a worrying habit of doing so armed with a petrol pump and a bumper box of Swan Vestas.</p><p>Hang on a minute … haven't we been here before? Er, yes. Yes, we have. And not that long ago either. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/apr/15/real-valladolid-javier-clemente" title="">Right here</a>, in fact. But this weekend the 'Blonde of Barrakaldo' returned to centre-stage, and possibly even for the last time; this weekend, it was hard to avoid the feeling that Javier Clemente is half the man he used to be: he used start some fires and put some others out; now he just starts them. Now he just gets burned – and so does everyone around him. This weekend, many people decided that he had gone too far – and for someone who has spent his life going really quite far, that is very, very far indeed. Not just because of what he did – although that matters too – but because of what he didn't do. Because of what some wonder if he will ever do again. If it is not that long since we were last here, there is a sneaking suspicion now that we may never be here again.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/apr/02/javier-clemente-stunt-final-straw">Continue reading...</a>La LigaSporting GijónEuropean club footballFootballSportMon, 02 Apr 2012 09:09:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/apr/02/javier-clemente-stunt-final-strawFelix Ordonez/ReutersAfter his latest rant at a journalist, Sporting Gijón coach Javier Clemente is running out of time. Photograph: Felix Ordonez/ReutersFelix Ordonez/ReutersValladolid's coach Javier Clemente watches the win over Sevilla. Photograph: Felix Ordonez/ReutersSid Lowe2012-04-02T09:09:58ZEven great survivor Manolo Preciado may not be able to ride out this storm | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jan/30/manolo-preciado-survivor-sporting-gijon
Sporting Gijón's 5-1 hammering by Sociedad raises real questions about the future of La Liga's longest serving manager<p>His wife died, his son too, and then his father passed away. He got knocked down but he got up again. And again. And again. &quot;I could,&quot; he said, &quot;have shot myself or I could have carried on.&quot; So he carried on. He brought Sporting de Gij&oacute;n back to the first division for the first time in a decade and kept them there for three seasons, somehow scrambling clear year after year. The axe hovered forever over his neck, glistening malevolently, but he took them to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/feb/14/la-liga-sporting-blunt-barcelona" title="">an improbable draw with Barcelona</a> and a historic victory against Real Madrid, achieving what no coach had done in nine years and 151 games, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/apr/04/jose-mourinho-madrid-la-liga" title="">beating Jos&eacute; Mourinho in his own stadium</a> - the same Jos&eacute; Mourinho with whom <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/nov/15/la-liga-manola-preciado-jose-mourinho" title="">he had a bust-up in the car park</a>.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jan/30/manolo-preciado-survivor-sporting-gijon">Continue reading...</a>La LigaSporting GijónEuropean club footballFootballSportMon, 30 Jan 2012 13:52:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jan/30/manolo-preciado-survivor-sporting-gijonJuan Herrero/EPAManolo Preciado watches on in the background during Sociedad's win over Sporting Photograph: Juan Herrero/EPAJuan Herrero/EPAManolo Preciado watches on in the background during Sociedad's win over Sporting Photograph: Juan Herrero/EPASid Lowe2012-01-30T13:52:28ZLa Liga round-up: Levante beat Real Sociedad to return to the tophttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/27/la-liga-levante-real-sociedad
• Injury-time goal from Rubén Suárez secures three points<br />• Karim Benzema scores as Real Madrid beat Villarreal<p>Rub&eacute;n Su&aacute;rez scored a wonderful free-kick deep into injury time to give <strong>Levante</strong> a 3-2 home win over <strong>Real Sociedad</strong>, which took them back to the top of La Liga.</p><p>Daniel Estrada had given the visitors the lead in the fourth minute and Sociedad could have been further ahead by half-time but Alberto de la Bella and I&ntilde;igo Mart&iacute;nez struck the bar. However, Levante roared back at the start of the second half and scored twice in five minutes either side of the hour mark through Nano and Valdo. Mart&iacute;nez brought Sociedad level with a fine finish from the edge of the box with four minutes remaining before Ruben's fierce strike from 30 yards gave Levante all three points.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/27/la-liga-levante-real-sociedad">Continue reading...</a>La LigaEuropean club footballLevanteReal SociedadReal MadridVillarrealBarcelonaGranada 74ValenciaZaragozaSporting GijónMallorcaRayo VallecanoMálagaGetafeOsasunaFootballSportThu, 27 Oct 2011 00:41:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/27/la-liga-levante-real-sociedadHeino Kalis/SPAINLevante's Rubén Suárez, left, and Juanlu celebrate their side's victory over Real Sociedad. Photograph: Heino Kalis/SPAINHeino Kalis/SPAINLevante's Rubén Suárez, left, and Juanlu celebrate their side's victory over Real Sociedad. Photograph: Heino Kalis/SPAINPress Association2011-10-27T00:41:00ZSporting Gijon 0-1 Barcelona | La Liga match reporthttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/02/sporting-gijon-barcelona-la-liga
<p>An early goal by Adriano proved enough for Barcelona to win 1-0 at Sporting Gij&oacute;n on Sunday and return to the top of the Spanish league standings.</p><p>Adriano fired the winner in the 12th minute after Xavi's shot hit the post. Barcelona had few problems against the league's bottom club but turned in a decidely lacklustre second-half performance.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/02/sporting-gijon-barcelona-la-liga">Continue reading...</a>La LigaSporting GijónBarcelonaEuropean club footballFootballSportSun, 02 Oct 2011 22:11:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/02/sporting-gijon-barcelona-la-ligaJuan Manuel Serrano Arce/APBarcelona's Adriano celebrates scoring the only goal of the win against Sporting Gijón in La Liga. Photograph: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/APJuan Manuel Serrano Arce/APBarcelona's Adriano celebrates scoring the only goal of the win against Sporting Gijón in La Liga. Photograph: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/APAssociated Press2011-10-02T22:11:16ZAlvaro Negredo makes Málaga's brave new world feel remarkably familiar | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/29/alvaro-negredo-malaga-la-liga
The new season has finally started in La Liga but there was no sign of a revolution at the Sánchez Pizjuán<p>Everything changes, it all stays the same. The first Monday morning of the new season and it feels like the close of the most tedious saga ever, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/aug/15/cesc-fabregas-barcelona-return" title="">Cesc F&aacute;bregas at last returning to Barcelona</a>, made no difference. Nor did the 274 transfers, 131 players in and 143 players out, the seven new coaches, the three new teams, or the nine kick-off times, including a 12-hour footballing Sunday that begins at midday and ends at midnight, destroying marriages up and down the country from C&aacute;diz to Catalunya. It was as if the summer never happened; even the extra week off because of a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/aug/19/spain-players-strike" title="">players' strike</a> – so often threatened, finally carried out 27 years after one of the game's most historic teams took their first tentative step thanks to a now repentant scab – didn't usher in the revolution.</p><p>Instead, the season started with the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/18/cesc-fabregas-barcelona-debut-madrid" title="">Spanish Super Cup</a> and with Jos&eacute; Mourinho again pointing the finger. Then on Saturday evening, La Liga started again and it too had a familiar feel; league football picked up pretty much where it left off on 21 May. With Barcelona's European commitments taking them out of circulation, literally this time, and with Madrid tearing their other opponents apart – a brilliant 6-0 win over Zaragoza, with Mesut Ozil especially outstanding, makes it 27 goals in their last five league games. With television viewers missing what's actually happening thanks to a director who would rather show them a pointless close-up of someone scratching their nose in slow motion or a half-arsed replay of a half-chance. And with another great collection of merchandise. This time it's the FC Barcelona kitchen set, complete with spatulas, forks and pizza slicers, or the Real Madrid tracksuit. Yours free* in AS.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/29/alvaro-negredo-malaga-la-liga">Continue reading...</a>La LigaMálagaSevillaGranada 74Atlético MadridSporting GijónReal SociedadLevanteMallorcaGetafeRacing SantanderReal BetisBarcelonaVillarrealRayo VallecanoZaragozaEspanyolValenciaReal MadridEuropean club footballFootballSportMon, 29 Aug 2011 13:34:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/29/alvaro-negredo-malaga-la-ligaMarcelo Del Pozo/ReutersMálaga's Ruud van Nistelrooy, left, was left disappointed after his new side lost to Sevilla. Marcelo del Pozo/ReutersMarcelo Del Pozo/ReutersMálaga's Ruud van Nistelrooy, left, was left disappointed after his new side lost to Sevilla.Sid Lowe2011-08-29T13:34:49ZLa Liga 2011-12 season preview | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/18/la-liga-2011-12-season-preview
Strike threats, two superpowers getting even stronger, plus a team-by-team guide for the new season. It's all here<p>You can tell the season is about to start when it might not be about to start after all. With barely a fortnight to go, the Spanish players' union called a strike over more than €50m of unpaid wages and on Wednesday morning another meeting between the league and the players' union, the AFE, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/17/spanish-strike-action-talks-collapse" title="">broke down</a>. According to the AFE president Jos&eacute; Luis Rubiales, in the last two years alone 200 players have been affected by salaries that have gone unpaid. So, here we are: three days to go and there's no football.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/18/la-liga-2011-12-season-preview">Continue reading...</a>La LigaEuropean club footballFootballSportBarcelonaReal MadridValenciaAthletic BilbaoAtlético MadridOsasunaGetafeGranada 74LevanteMálagaRacing SantanderRayo VallecanoEspanyolMallorcaReal BetisReal SociedadSporting GijónZaragozaSevillaVillarrealThu, 18 Aug 2011 09:35:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/18/la-liga-2011-12-season-previewSTRINGER/SPAIN/ReutersHere we go again. Photograph: Stringer/Spain/ReutersSTRINGER/SPAIN/ReutersBarcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates. Photograph: STRINGER/SPAIN/ReutersSid Lowe2011-08-18T09:35:49ZAfter nine years, 151 games and four clubs, José Mourinho's record ends | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/apr/04/jose-mourinho-madrid-la-liga
Real Madrid's defeat to Sporting Gijón ended José Mourinho's mind-blowing unbeaten home league record – and his title hopes<p>Of all the people in all the world, it had to be him. Nine years they had been trying and failing. Nine bloody years. Hundreds of them in four different countries. Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't do it, Rafa Ben&iacute;tez couldn't do it, Harry Redknapp couldn't do it. Jo&atilde;o Pereira couldn't do it and Cesare Prandelli couldn't do it. Nor could Claudio Ranieri, Jacques Santini or Roberto Donadoni. Even Kevin Keegan couldn't do it. Quique S&aacute;nchez Flores couldn't do it either. And nor could Manuel Pellegrini.</p><p>But then again Manuel Pellegrini wasn't tying to do it. <a href="http:// www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/mar/04/manuel-pellegrini-malaga-real-madrid" title="Or so he claimed">Or so he claimed</a>. In total, 107 coaches couldn't do it. Manolo Preciado, on the other hand, could.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/apr/04/jose-mourinho-madrid-la-liga">Continue reading...</a>La LigaJosé MourinhoReal MadridSporting GijónEuropean club footballFootballSportMon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/apr/04/jose-mourinho-madrid-la-ligaDominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesReal Madrid's defeat to Sporting Gijón was José Mourinho’s first home league loss since February 2002. Photograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesDominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesReal Madrid's defeat to Sporting Gijón was José Mourinho's first home league loss since February 2002. Photograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesSid Lowe2011-04-04T12:00:55ZSporting Gijón end José Mourinho's nine-year run of home successhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/03/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-tottenham-hotspur
• Real Madrid now eight points behind league leaders Barcelona<br />• Mourinho concedes that title is 'virtually impossible'<p>Jos&eacute; Mourinho's astonishing nine-year run came to an unexpected end and virtually killed off Real Madrid's hopes of winning the Spanish league title. Sporting Gij&oacute;n defeated Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernab&eacute;u with a Miguel de las Cuevas goal – the first home defeat Mourinho had suffered in 150 matches in club football.</p><p>That result, allied to Barcelona's 1-0 win at Villarreal, means Madrid trail the league leaders by eight points and head‑to‑head goal difference with eight games <sup></sup>remaining. Asked if they could still win the title, Mourinho replied: &quot;Objectively, it is virtually impossible.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/03/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-tottenham-hotspur">Continue reading...</a>Real MadridJosé MourinhoSporting GijónLa LigaEuropean club footballTottenham HotspurChampions LeagueFootballSportSun, 03 Apr 2011 16:56:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/03/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-tottenham-hotspurJasper Juinen/Getty ImagesA solitary goal from Miguel de las Cuevas ended José Mourinho's nine-year run of home games without defeat. Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty ImagesJasper Juinen/Getty ImagesA solitary goal from Miguel de las Cuevas ended José Mourinho's nine-year run of home games without defeat. Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty ImagesSid Lowe in Madrid2011-04-03T16:56:56ZGoooooooool de Dani Aranzubia! Depor's keeper heads into history books | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/21/la-liga-deportivo-goalkeeper-scores
For the first time in La Liga's history a goalkeeper scored from open play – and possibly saved Deportivo's coach from the sack<p>It happened in the 95th minute but by the time the commentator on the radio had finished shouting <em>Gooooooool!</em> it was the 99th – and for once you couldn't blame him. This wasn't one of those moments when you waited and waited and waited, and then waited some more, as the Os tumbled off his tongue and the sirens wailed and the bells rang and the adverts blared; where you glanced at your watch and gazed out the window, when you scanned the fixtures nervously, thinking, &quot;Yes, goal, I've got that, cheers … now, who for?&quot; only to discover, eventually, exhaustedly, that it was an inconsequential strike in an inconsequential game somewhere in the second division. C&oacute;rdoba's third against Xerez. No. This time was different. This time, it was worth the wait.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/21/la-liga-deportivo-goalkeeper-scores">Continue reading...</a>La LigaEuropean club footballFootballDeportivo La CoruñaBarcelonaReal MadridSporting GijónMon, 21 Feb 2011 11:56:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/21/la-liga-deportivo-goalkeeper-scoresCarlos Barba/EPADani Aranzubia celebrates with his Deportivo team-mates after scoring the equaliser against Almeria. Photograph: Carlos Barba/EPACarlos Barba/EPADani Aranzubia celebrates with his Deportivo team-mates after scoring the equaliser against Almeria. Photograph: Carlos Barba/EPASid Lowe2011-02-21T11:56:56ZSporting slip despite blunting Barça with draw that 'tastes like a win' | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/14/la-liga-sporting-blunt-barcelona
Gijón were heroic as they ended Barça's run of 16 straight La Liga wins, but they still dropped four places<p>Manolo Preciado played his moustache like it was a harmonica, air racing out of his lungs, through the foliage and into the room. &quot;Uuf,&quot; he said. &quot;Uuf, <em>joder</em>.&quot; <em>Fuck</em>. Crafty fag extinguished, voice coarse and rough, language even more coarse and even more rough, so deep the floor vibrated, he shifted behind a giant bottle of Fuensanta, official water of Sporting Gij&oacute;n, and played it again. &quot;Uuf,&quot; he said, &quot;a month ago we'd have lost 6-1.&quot; But this was not a month ago and Sporting did not lose 6-1. Instead, on Saturday night they drew 1-1 with FC Barcelona. And if draws are the new defeats for the big two, then draws against the big two are the new victories for everyone else. &quot;This,&quot; Preciado said, &quot;is a fantastic prize.&quot;</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/14/la-liga-sporting-blunt-barcelona">Continue reading...</a>Sporting GijónLa LigaBarcelonaEuropean club footballFootballSportMon, 14 Feb 2011 14:33:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/14/la-liga-sporting-blunt-barcelonaAlvaro Barrientos/APBarcelona's Andrés Iniesta is tackled during the 1-1 draw with Sporting Gíjon. Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/APAlvaro Barrientos/APBarcelona's Andrés Iniesta, left, is tackled during the 1-1 draw with Sporting Gíjon who ceded possession, funnelled the opposition into traffic in the centre, and broke with purpose. Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/APSid Lowe2011-02-14T14:33:17ZSporting Gijón supply blueprint to Arsenal of how to stifle Barcelonahttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/barcelona-sporting-gijon-arsenal-champions-league
• Catalans' 16-match winning run ends with 1-1 draw<br />• Carles Puyol expected to miss Wednesday's game at Emirates<p>Saturday night in northern Spain brought good news for Arsenal: contrary to popular belief, Barcelona do not triumph in every game. A 16-match winning run came to an end with a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gij&oacute;n that provided clues as to how to stop the Catalans. Afterwards Pep Guardiola admitted he does not expect the club captain, Carles Puyol, to be fit in time to play at the Emirates on Wednesday night.</p><p>Puyol was absent through injury and Guardiola replied with a simple &quot;I don't think so&quot; when asked whether the defender would be ready to face Arsenal. Sergio Busquets, Eric Abidal and Pedro Rodr&iacute;guez were also absent from the starting XI but the bad news for Arsenal is that their absence was designed to ensure that they do play in the Champions League. Yet Leo Messi, Xavi and Andr&eacute;s Iniesta did play, but rarely found their way past a team who ceded possession, funnelled the opposition into traffic in the centre, and broke with purpose.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/barcelona-sporting-gijon-arsenal-champions-league">Continue reading...</a>BarcelonaArsenalSporting GijónLa LigaEuropean club footballFootballSportMon, 14 Feb 2011 07:00:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/barcelona-sporting-gijon-arsenal-champions-leagueAlvaro Barrientos/APBarcelona's Andrés Iniesta, left, is tackled during the 1-1 draw with Sporting Gíjon. Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/APAlvaro Barrientos/APBarcelona's Andrés Iniesta, left, is tackled during the 1-1 draw with Sporting Gíjon who ceded possession, funnelled the opposition into traffic in the centre, and broke with purpose. Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/APSid Lowe2011-02-14T07:00:11ZManolo Preciado earns the plaudits, but Real Madrid take the points | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/nov/15/la-liga-manola-preciado-jose-mourinho
Sporting's magnificently mustachioed manager Manolo Preciado won the war of words with José Mourinho – just not the match<p>Jos&eacute; Mourinho came down the steps of the bus, walked into the Molin&oacute;n flanked by four security guards and made his way to the VIP box, a safe distance from the touchline where his nemesis was prowling. Outside, an angry mob abused him. He couldn't hear them from behind the glass but, glancing across at the banners, he could <em>see</em> what they were saying – in graphic, if badly drawn, detail. But he just gazed out, impassive, making notes, occasionally reaching for the walkie talkie. At half-time, he was led down the stairs, along the corridor and into the dressing room. At the end, with Madrid having beaten Sporting Gij&oacute;n 1-0 thanks to an 82nd-minute goal, he was escorted back to the team coach.</p><p>Where, back behind the glass, he raised two fingers.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/nov/15/la-liga-manola-preciado-jose-mourinho">Continue reading...</a>La LigaFootballEuropean club footballSportReal MadridJosé MourinhoSporting GijónMon, 15 Nov 2010 13:51:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/nov/15/la-liga-manola-preciado-jose-mourinhoMiguel Riopa/AFP/Getty ImagesPreciado and Cristiano Ronaldo. Photograph: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty ImagesMiguel Riopa/AFP/Getty ImagesManuel Preciado and Cristiano Ronaldo Photograph: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty ImagesSid Lowe2010-11-15T13:51:40ZReal stay top of La Liga with easy victory in Madrid derbyhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/07/real-madrid-atletico-barcelona
• Barcelona outplay Getafe but remain a point behind<br />• Villarreal keep up the pressure with a 4-1 victory<p>Real Madrid maintained their one-point advantage at the top of the Primera Division tonight after a comfortable win over their city rivals Atl&eacute;tico.</p><p>The visitors have not beaten Real since 1999 and they never looked like ending that miserable record after a blistering start from Jos&eacute; Mourinho's men saw them establish a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes through goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Mesut Ozil.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/07/real-madrid-atletico-barcelona">Continue reading...</a>La LigaFootballEuropean club footballSportReal MadridAtlético MadridBarcelonaGetafeVillarrealAthletic BilbaoOsasunaRacing SantanderDeportivo La CoruñaLevanteSporting GijónAlmeriaSun, 07 Nov 2010 23:50:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/07/real-madrid-atletico-barcelonaSergio Perez/ReutersReal Madrid's Xabi Alonso, left, and Atlético Madrid's Raúl García go for the ball. Photograph: Sergio Perez/ReutersSergio Perez/ReutersReal Madrid's Xavi Alonso, left, and Atletico Madrid's Raul Garcia go for the ball. Photograph: Sergio Perez/ReutersPress Association2010-11-07T23:50:00Z3,486,784,401 reasons to tune in to a ridiculously dramatic La Liga finale | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/06/dramatic-la-liga-finale
While Barça and Madrid duke it out for the title, almost everything else in Spain is still up for grabs with a fortnight left<p>After all that, it comes to this. Three hundred and sixty games, 221 shots against the post and 968 goals later, 31 of them for Leo Messi, 26 for Gonzalo Higua&iacute;n, 25 for Cristiano Ronaldo, 21 for David Villa and one for Duda straight from a corner but only four for Manucho, the man who promised 40, we're still none the wiser. There are more questions than answers and the more we find out the less we know. Can Marca stoop any lower? Can Javier Clemente get any angrier? Has there ever been a mullet as magnificent as Nestor Gorostio's? Who's going to be celebrating come the final day? And when will the final day actually be?</p><p>After eight months, everything comes down to eight days in La Liga. Or seven days, depending on when La Liga decides to schedule judgement day. As for the title itself, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that it comes down to one solitary summer evening in Seville.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/06/dramatic-la-liga-finale">Continue reading...</a>La LigaBarcelonaReal MadridFootballEuropean club footballSportGetafeSporting GijónTenerifeAlmeriaVillarrealValenciaXérezAthletic BilbaoAtlético MadridValladolidRacing SantanderSevillaEspanyolOsasunaDeportivo La CoruñaMálagaZaragozaMallorcaThu, 06 May 2010 10:40:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/06/dramatic-la-liga-finaleManu Fernandez/APCristiano Ronaldo celebrates during Madrid's latest comeback win, this time at Mallorca. Photograph: Manu Fernandez/APManu Fernandez/APReal Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Photograph: Manu Fernandez/APSid Lowe2010-05-06T10:40:37ZPep Guardiola praises Carles Puyol after Barcelona continue winning runhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/31/pepe-guardiola-carles-puyol-barcelona
• Barça record fifth successive clean sheet against Sporting<br />• Real Madrid beat Deportivo 3-1 to end 18-year barren spell<p>The Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, paid tribute to his captain, Carles Puyol, following his side's 1-0 win over Sporting Gij&oacute;n. The versatile Puyol filled in at right-back to cover the absence of the injured Dani Alves and helped Bar&ccedil;a record their fifth successive clean sheet in the league and cup.</p><p>&quot;We wouldn't be where we are this season without him,&quot; said Guardiola of the Spain international. &quot;He's the player who's performed most often and he's solving a lot of problems.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/31/pepe-guardiola-carles-puyol-barcelona">Continue reading...</a>Pep GuardiolaLa LigaBarcelonaReal MadridEuropean club footballFootballSportSporting GijónDeportivo La CoruñaSun, 31 Jan 2010 14:13:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/31/pepe-guardiola-carles-puyol-barcelonaAnder Gillenea/AFP/Getty ImagesBarcelona's captain, Carles Puyol, vies for the ball with the Sporting Gijón midfielder Diego Castro. Photograph: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty ImagesAnder Gillenea/AFP/Getty ImagesBarcelona's captain, Carles Puyol, vies for the ball with the Sporting Gijón midfielder Diego Castro. Photograph: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty ImagesPress Association2010-01-31T14:13:03ZBirmingham close in on Sporting Gijón midfielder Míchelhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/05/birmingham-city-michel-sporting-gijon
• Míchel likely to be Birmingham's first January signing<br />• 24-year-old midfielder expected to cost £3m<p>Birmingham City are closing in on the signing of the Sporting Gij&oacute;n midfielder M&iacute;chel in a &pound;3m deal. The club expect to know in the next 24 hours whether the 24-year-old playmaker will become manager Alex McLeish's first signing during the January transfer window.</p><p>Sources close to the club are confident one or two remaining loose ends will be tied up to ensure Michel finally makes the move to St Andrew's.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/05/birmingham-city-michel-sporting-gijon">Continue reading...</a>Transfer windowBirmingham CitySporting GijónFootballPremier LeagueSportPremier League 2009-10Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:58:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/05/birmingham-city-michel-sporting-gijonRui Vieira/PABirmingham's manager, Alex McLeish, is hoping to add Sporting Gijón's midfielder Míchel to his squad. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PARui Vieira/PABirmingham's manager Alex McLeish is giving the club their best season in ages, with five top-flight league wins in a row for the first time in more than 30 years Photograph: Rui Vieira/PAPress Association2010-01-05T12:58:24ZZlatan Ibrahimovic scores on La Liga debut for Barcelonahttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/01/zlatan-ibrahimovic-barcelona-la-liga-debut
• Striker says he is not yet fully fit<br />• Barcelona beat Sporting Gijón 3-0<p></p><p>Barcelona's new striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his La Liga debut last night but says he still has some way to go to get back to full fitness after surgery on a hand injury.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/01/zlatan-ibrahimovic-barcelona-la-liga-debut">Continue reading...</a>La LigaBarcelonaSporting GijónEuropean club footballFootballSportZlatan IbrahimovicTue, 01 Sep 2009 08:19:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/01/zlatan-ibrahimovic-barcelona-la-liga-debutDenis Doyle/Getty ImagesZlatan Ibrahimovic is congratulated by Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol after scoring his first goal for Barcelona. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty ImagesDenis Doyle/Getty ImagesZlatan Ibrahimovic is congratulated by Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol after scoring his first goal for Barcelona. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty ImagesGuardian Staff2009-09-01T08:19:12ZBirmingham's Míchel move could hinge on Carson Yeung takeoverhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/27/birmingham-transfer-carson-yeung-football
• Red tape could prevent Alex McLeish from using transfer funds<br />• Birmingham hoping to resolve Míchel transfer<p>The Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish, admits takeover regulations may prevent him from being able to spend the &pound;5m transfer fund he will be given if Carson Yeung's bid to buy the club goes ahead.</p><p>The Hong Kong businessman is set to complete the &pound;81m takeover of the Midlands club during the next few weeks and McLeish hoped the money he had promised would allow him to fund the acquisition of the Sporting Gij&oacute;n midfielder M&iacute;chel. However, red tape may mean the transfer has to be put on hold.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/27/birmingham-transfer-carson-yeung-football">Continue reading...</a>Birmingham CitySporting GijónTransfer windowPremier LeagueLa LigaFootballSportCarson YeungThu, 27 Aug 2009 11:24:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/27/birmingham-transfer-carson-yeung-footballMatthew Childs/Action ImagesAlex McLeish is concerned he may not be able to sign Míchel even if Carson Yeung takes over at Birmingham. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action ImagesMatthew Childs/Action ImagesAlex McLeish insists more signings are required for Birmingham to be competitive. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action ImagesGuardian Staff2009-08-27T11:24:28ZThe summer was all about Real Madrid. The new La Liga season will be too | Sid Lowehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/aug/26/la-liga-preview-sid-lowe
Why Madrid's stronger squad could see them pip Barcelona, plus my thoughts on every Primera División team's chances this term<p>Fifty-seven channels and there's only one thing on: Real Madrid. This summer, &Aacute;lvaro Negredo became the most expensive footballer in Sevilla's history, Nilmar became the most expensive player in Villarreal's history and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/aug/12/david-villa-valencia-worlds-best-striker" title="somehow David Villa didn't become the most expensive Spanish player in anyone's history">somehow David Villa didn't become the most expensive Spanish player in anyone's history</a>. Instead, Valencia busied themselves getting taken over by a company that got its logo from a kiddies' colouring-in book and its 'money' from a fairytale, ditched them, got rid of the man who sunk them, issued €95m (&pound;83m) worth of new shares and grabbed a lifeline. But no one seemed to notice.</p><p>Real Valladolid signed Pel&eacute;. Atl&eacute;tico Madrid kept Maradona's son-in-law. European Golden Boot winner Diego Forl&aacute;n stayed. And Zaragoza found the money to give Jermaine Pennant &pound;40,000-a-week but not to keep their captain Alberto Zapater. Mallorca finally got a new owner – and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2008/dec/22/football-la-liga-real-mallorca" title="it wasn't Freddie Shepherd or Paul Davidson">it wasn't Freddy Shepherd or Paul Davidson</a>. Espanyol finally got a home of their own after more than a decade in exile as tenants at the Olympic Stadium. And Xerez, whose president resigned after a drive-by shooting at a brothel last season, finally became a <em>primera</em> team for the first time. But no one seemed bothered.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/aug/26/la-liga-preview-sid-lowe">Continue reading...</a>La LigaReal MadridBarcelonaValenciaTenerifeSevillaOsasunaGetafeXérezMallorcaSporting GijónZaragozaValladolidVillarrealDeportivo La CoruñaMálagaEspanyolRacing SantanderAlmeriaAthletic BilbaoAtlético MadridFootballSportWed, 26 Aug 2009 15:44:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/aug/26/la-liga-preview-sid-lowePedro Armestre/AFP/Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo and Kaká prepare for a pre-season match with Rosenborg. Photograph: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty ImagesPedro Armestre/AFP/Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo and Kaka prepare for a pre-season match with Rosenborg. Photograph: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty ImagesSid Lowe2009-08-26T15:44:00ZMíchel deal would end Birmingham's spending, says manager Alex McLeishhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/19/michel-alex-mcleish-birmingham-gijon
• McLeish admits Míchel deal will push club over transfer budget<br />• Signing of Sporting Gijón midfielder not yet complete<p>Birmingham's manager, Alex McLeish, has admitted the capture of the Sporting Gij&oacute;n midfielder M&iacute;chel will end his summer spending, if the deal goes through.</p><p>McLeish revealed the Birmingham board had exceeded the budget laid down for the new season in trying to sign M&iacute;chel, having spent about &pound;10m so far on players since City gained promotion.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/19/michel-alex-mcleish-birmingham-gijon">Continue reading...</a>Birmingham CityTransfer windowSporting GijónPremier LeagueFootballSportAlex McLeishWed, 19 Aug 2009 10:47:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/19/michel-alex-mcleish-birmingham-gijonJohn Peters/Man Utd via Getty ImagesAlex McLeish admits Birmingham's deal for Michel will exceed their transfer budget. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty ImagesJohn Peters/Man Utd via Getty ImagesAlex McLeish admits Birmingham's deal for Michel will exceed their transfer budget. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty ImagesGuardian Staff2009-08-19T10:47:42Z